posted on July 8, 2001 01:58:48 PM
...who carry large purses or men who carry backpacks or camera bags. When you get out of your car, approach the entrance to an antique mall, and see a sign on the door saying " all large bags or purses are subject to search or must be left in the car" or "all large bags and purses must be left behind the counter", what do you do?
I carry a medium size shoulder bag. About three years ago, one shop owner asked me to leave it in the car. I told him that I wouldn't do it because a thief would now know where it was. I knew my husband wanted to look through the mall so I took my wallet and checkbook out of my purse and gave it to him. I then handed the purse to the dealer and told him not to lose it or I'd hold him responsible. Since then we've passed that mall a couple times and we won't go in. I realize there's a lot of theft, but Walmart or Home Depot don't stop customers who enter with packages from another company. (At least I've never been stopped.) So now I just breeze through the doors of antique malls and feel if the dealers are uncomfortable with me, they'll have to follow me around. If they want my pocketbook, I'll show them the cash I could have spent before I walk out their door.
posted on July 8, 2001 02:03:15 PM
I am not sure if it is as much they think you are going to stuff something in it as much as you may accidently knock something over with the huge bag.
I leave mine in my trunk - minus my wallet and keys, which I keep with me.
posted on July 8, 2001 02:17:54 PM
MurphyBird, I guess I hadn't thought about the breakage issue. I'm usually so paranoid about keeping track of my purse that I don't let it swing around. Usually by the time I get out of the car at a mall, I have my purse with me and hesitate to go back to the car to put it away because it's like a signal for any would-be thief that there's a purse in the car and the owner is browsing around inside the mall.
A good solution that I have found is to leave the big purse at home and use a small sized wallet that attaches to your keys. It will hold credit cards, cash and drivers license...all that you really need.
Soon, believe it or not, you will find that you don't really need the big one!!!
I understand how you feel about the dealer who wanted to keep your purse. Wow, how rude can you be and stay in business? My dollars would go elsewhere.
posted on July 8, 2001 03:10:18 PM
When ever someone asks me to leave my bag or purse....I ask them if they can absolutely assure me that nothing will be misplaced, stolen or touched by any of their staff or other shoppers.
When they say NO---I just okay--and leave. They see my backside and purse with all it's money go somewhere else
posted on July 8, 2001 03:18:01 PM
We were followed around an antique mall by a skinny little fellow I was sure worked for the management. When I paid for an item and went to leave he had moved away and I told the woman at the register that that fellow had followed us around and made us very uncomfortable. I told her if he follows us out please call the police because he will get a big surprise at our car - and pulled back my shirt to show her the butt of my .45 automatic. If he does work for her I hope it gave them a different perspective on things.
You never know who you are trying to intimidate that you don't want to succeed too wellat doing so.
posted on July 8, 2001 03:29:46 PM
Hiya Saabsister,
I've only been to one shop that will not allow bags. As I did most of my buying on the road instead of auctions, this shop (new to me) caught me by surprise.
Like you, I will not put my purse in the trunk for the world to see. This particular shop had lockers and the customer carries the key. I trusted that they did not have a master key. Had they wanted to hold it behind their counter, I would have left.
Since I don't like to carry a big bag while I'm antiquing, and just in case I should hit another shop that wants to hold my bag, I now put my bag with all my necessities in my trunk before I leave home.
I carry a smaller crossover shoulder bag just large enough to hold my glasses, some kleenex, keys, loupes and money.
It works out so much better, as it leaves both of your hands free to inspect merchandise.
When I was buying for my business, I would carry in my hand a rigid folder that held the small yellow pads and a pen. If something interested me, I would just jot down the booth number, row and price to take a second look when finished shopping the whole shop or antique show.
posted on July 8, 2001 03:46:14 PM
I collect plastic costume jewelry so this time of year I worry about heat building up in the car. The bakelite should stand up okay, but I've had lucite warp and I think celluloid is flammable so I hesitate to leave that stuff in the car. Since these are small items, I usually keep them in my bag and I don't have to worry about damage. Maybe I should bring a small ice chest with me and leave the jewelry there. That way I could take a smaller purse or just my wallet and keys and leave the larger purse in my suitcase. This always seems to happen on vacation when I'm carrying a lot of cash that I'm certainly not going to leave in the car. Dealers should realize that a person who has to worry about her purse being stolen will not spend as much time leisurely looking at the merchandise in the store.
posted on July 8, 2001 04:12:03 PM
Having been involved in a few malls as a seller, I can tell you that the theft is taking place at an astounding rate. Some malls supply locker-type cabinets, you can lock you bag in it. Please don't be too hard on the mall operators. The ones that have failed have done so primarily due to theft. I have lost good stuff to theft, stuff that would not fit in a pocket, but would fit in a big bag. No, nobody is thinking you are a thief. But a good percentage of the people who enter are! Too bad, but it is a fact of life these days.
posted on July 8, 2001 04:20:56 PM
Theft by customers does happen, of course, but I have found that most of the theft in malls has been in-house, primarily other dealers.
Doesn't matter if the mall checks dealers boxes upon leaving, either.
posted on July 8, 2001 04:21:47 PM
I have had several retail businesses over the years and to assume everyone is going to steal from you is really not something you want to do, but assuming nobody will is foolish! I have learned this the hard way. It makes you sick to your stomach when you discover something gone. You feel like a dope, how did that happen, who did it, when did it happen???? You beat yourself over the head and you become very paranoid about the next hundred or so people who walk in your store! I used to really hate to see shoppers with bags from other stores, or large purses or backpacks come in. I didn't want to automatically treat them like thieves, but I didn't want them taking advantage of the situation either. Believe me a good five-finger discounter can take it right out from under your nose!
I really never was able to come up with a suitable balance, I sold the businesses instead, let someone worry about it.....
Because of my experiences, I "shop" like I would have liked people to shop with me!
I never carry in a big bag, if I do have packages from another place I ask if there is somewhere I can put my bags where they will be safe. I tie all my bags closed or ask the clerk if they would mind stapling them shut for me. Normally in a big mall, most stores (in our area anyway) automatically staple all bags before you leave. It's done as a "routine" and I don't think I have seen anyone get offended.
I used to shop at a Sam's Club and this particular store's policy was to have someone at the door (as YOU LEFT) who would take your receipt and open all bags and check the contents against the receipt. You were also asked to please open your bag/purse so they could look in. This was done to everyone. It really never bothered me (except when I was in a hurry-it was time consuming). Of course, if it had been random I would have screamed "bloody murder" even though I understand the reason for it.
I try to remember that the clerks/owners of most businesses don't know me at all and I really shouldn't be overly offended that they might be "suspecious" of me. Afterall, one bad apple can ruin the whole basket!
[ edited by sulyn1950 on Jul 8, 2001 04:22 PM ]
posted on July 8, 2001 04:36:34 PM
rgrem and sulyn1950, I see your side. In fact, I'm considering renting showcase space in a mall to sell some jewelry. The problem of dealer theft that femme mentioned seems to be a problem. Several friends of mine have had items stolen from their mall spaces and in some cases other dealers are suspected. While inquiring about security at various malls within a half hour drive of my house, I've only been satisfied with the arrangements at one mall. So I see both sides. It's just that to me, my purse is a very personal item. I don't like to leave it in some stranger's care. Lockers sound like a good idea.
posted on July 8, 2001 05:53:59 PM
As the owner of a brick and mortar, I can see why businesses have you check your backpacks and large purses. Sure, there are some that have just their stuff in it - but many others who want to put my stuff in it, too.
Unfortunately, these days shoplifting is at an all time high. You know it is bad when people steal just one picture off of the back of a movie box!
I, too, take backpacks when someone comes in my store - and return them unopened when the customer leaves. If a customer gets mad and leaves, I am sorry. I guess it is a price of doing business.
A good thing to do is prepare well before your arrival at the mart. Take only a small purse with just your essentials inside. If you have something that can be hurt by the heat, maybe keeping those items in a cooler with ice would help. You could keep it in a closed container to keep it safe.
I am sorry if my ideas are not popular, it is just that I see this particular arguement from the other side.
posted on July 9, 2001 11:56:27 AM
james, good idea..... but where do I get some heat as I haven't been sexy in years.
Or did you mean sterno, canned heat? I could see making a mugger drink it and watching them die. Yippie skippie! "hurry up an' die willya? I gotta watch 'Real TV' at 7:30!"
Oh, I'm so embarrassed! I finally realized what you meant; "pack heat" = piggy back a cop around on my back. Well, you mean in public? Us old folks remember doin' stuff like that in the bedroom but now y'all just pack 'em around EVERYWHERE? After awhile isn't the thrill gone?
posted on July 9, 2001 02:07:48 PM
For more years than I can remember, I had been buying at Butterfield and Butterfield, at their warehouse, on 3rd St, in San Francisco, and at their better Studio on Sutter.
That was back when they were still somewhat obscure.
Then, they moved to new locations...still the warehouse crap, but higher rent At that point, they asked me to check MY PURSE at the counter while PREVIEWING! Say WHAT????
Anyway, I did, having already decided I would not be shopping their auctions again...
When I was through with previewing, I went to reclaim my purse: a large, shoulder-type thingy, with my loupe, magnifier, pens and notebook...They asked me for my ID! Say WHAT??? I told the idiot my ID was IN my purse...She said "You should have removed it..." I had to get the floor manager to get my purse...
It has been 12 years, and I have NEVER GONE BACK...They keep sending me invitations...I shall NEVER go back. I used to spend thousands there every month, shopping furniture and smalls for my shop...
posted on July 9, 2001 03:05:03 PM
Way to go...Shosh!!!
I would not go back either. Can you imagine returning to find that your purse had been given to someone else? A dealers problem with theft will not become my problem!!!
...I had your reaction...SAY WHAT!!!...the other day, when I was asked at the door of an estate sale to remove my *shoes* before entering! What do you suppose is next...? LoL
posted on July 9, 2001 03:30:15 PM
Most you believe you write good checks and need not be questioned, believe that you never stole anything they need not be subject to anti-theft measures, believe that because they would never track dirt into a house that you need not be asked to remove shoes, etc, etc. etc. I remember when these measures were not necessary, when you could leave items on your table and they'd be there when you got back, when I could leave boxes of clocks and watches at conventions unwatched and not lose anything, when you could have a sale and the public treated your place like their own. NONE OF THIS IS true anymore, I am sorry to say. So I agree that some measures need to be better handled, believe me, most are necessary. On the original mall question, I believe the locked locker solution is best. And again, please understand, it is necessary. Security people will tell you that fully 10% of everyone walking into a specialty store or mall are there to shrink your stock.
posted on July 9, 2001 04:32:11 PM
Asking someone to leave a large purse at the counter is much like having a strict TOS for your eBay auctions. Checks are held for 14 days, negative feedback will be left, etc. Unfortunately a few crummy people spoil it for the good ones, who make up the majority.
posted on July 9, 2001 06:50:13 PM
True that some spoil it for the rest of the people...BUT....when auction clients have been spending an average of 5 grand a month for over 20 years, it would seem that THOSE CLIENTS should be issued a curtsy card so that they will not be lumped into the bag of garbage....If I ran an auction, that's what I would do...My long-time customers, with not a blemish on their record, would never be subjected to that kind of treatment.
Femme and Helen...Thanks... Yes, I AM fiesty...but fair...
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